A North Korean women's football club is set to make a rare visit to South Korea next month, marking the first time athletes from the North have crossed the border since 2018.
Historic Champions League Semi-Final
Naegohyang Women's FC, based in Pyongyang, will face South Korean side Suwon FC Women in the Asian Women's Champions League semi-final on 20 May, according to an announcement by South Korea's Unification Ministry on Monday. The North Korean delegation includes 27 players and 12 staff members.
Political Context
The visit comes as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung seeks to improve strained ties with North Korea. The last time Pyongyang sent athletes to the South was in 2018, during a period of relatively warmer relations, when North Korea participated in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and formed a unified ice hockey team with South Korea.
A North Korean women's football team last competed in the South at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Ties have since deteriorated, with North Korea labelling South Korea its "most hostile state" and abandoning the goal of reunification.
Match Details
The Naegohyang delegation will arrive in South Korea on 17 May. The semi-final match in Suwon will determine who faces either Melbourne City or Tokyo Verdy in the final on 23 May, also in Suwon. If North Korea loses, the team will return home the following day.
This is Naegohyang's first Champions League appearance; they advanced by defeating Ho Chi Minh City 3-0 in the quarter-final.
